[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        LIFTING VIETNAM EMBARGO

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, as I understand it, President Clinton will 
sometime between now and 6 o'clock end the trade embargo on Vietnam 
today. While we had a vote, a sense of the Senate vote here, and many 
of my colleagues think this is the right course, I believe it is the 
wrong decision at the wrong time for the wrong reasons.
  If the concern is about American exports to Asia, President Clinton 
should extend most-favored-nation status to China. When we get to that 
event in June, maybe make it permanent, maybe make it 2 years or 3 
years.
  President-elect Clinton said--ironically on Veterans Day, 1992--
``There will be no normalization of relations with any nation that is 
at all suspected of withholding any information.'' Those suspicions 
remain among many Americans. It is difficult to square a decision to 
lift the embargo with the earlier comment and the earlier commitment.
  Numerous objective observers believe Vietnam is withholding 
information and remains that could readily be turned over--if Vietnam 
had the political will and if the United States had decided to use 
political leverage. Many believe Vietnam is not being fully 
forthcoming--but why should they? While going through the motions on 
POW/MIA's, Vietnam guessed accurately that the administration would 
give them what they wanted and lift the embargo.
  The National League of Families asked the President to wait until 
they traveled to Vietnam to assess POW/MIA cooperation firsthand. We do 
not know what they would have found. We do not know what impact it may 
have had on the President. We do not know because President Clinton 
could not wait a week or two to end a three decade old embargo. What 
was the hurry?
  Veterans groups--representing millions of Americans who served their 
country--are united in their opposition to this decision. And according 
to a poll in December, the American people--some 85 percent of them--
are not satisfied with Vietnam's cooperation on prisoners of war and 
those missing in action.

  Earlier this week, the Senate approved my amendment to require the 
President to report on the POW/MIA issue within 30 days after a 
decision to ease or end the embargo. It is not much, but at least we 
will get a report from the President. Maybe he will put some of the 
families' concerns to rest.
  I think he wants to do that. I do not say he does not want to do 
that. But it seems to me--and I know many of my colleagues who served 
in Vietnam have a different view. I did not serve in Vietnam, but I 
suggest that many of the families have concerns. They still have loved 
ones who are not accounted for.
  After stonewalling for years, Vietnam impressed the administration 
enough to get the embargo lifted. I expect Vietnam will provide more 
remains and information very soon. And then, the argument will be over 
most-favored-nation status, and full diplomatic relations. But unless 
Vietnamese cooperation changes--and maybe this will bring the 
cooperation we have needed over the last many, many, many years and 
really have not had it until the last few years--if we do not get more 
cooperation, I will say I think all of my colleagues, even those who 
may have supported lifting the embargo, are going to be very slow to 
respond as far as most-favored-nation status is concerned and full 
diplomatic relations are concerned. There will be widespread opposition 
to any further steps.
  There may be a right time to lift the embargo against Vietnam, but we 
have not reached that time yet.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Bumpers). The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. NUNN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so.

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